Which ISP for FTTC?

Voicon · 20 Apr 2017 at 11:52

Hi all

My current deal with Virgin ends shortly, just about to give notice, they do provide the fastest internet but after issues lately with them and over subscription and the lies and deceit their representatives used I am seriously considering leaving them (unless they give me an amazing deal, which probably won't happen)

So looking for a FTTC provider that has decent customer service and speed but I MUST be able to use my own router, I have a Ubiquiti Unifi Security Gateway and AP'S as standard router's have no chance covering all areas of my house.

Any recommendations or providers not to use?

Thanks

ChrisD. · 20 Apr 2017 at 11:57

Any particular budget?

I'm with Zen, not the cheapest and don't offer any discounts at all, but you get exemplary service and support.

Take a look at Quidco/Top Cashback and look at offers with the likes of Sky, PlusNet and BT.

kindai · 20 Apr 2017 at 12:01

I'm with BT, and honestly I can't fault it. It just works, ring up every now and then and have a moan about the price and theyll knock a couple of quid off the monthly bill or throw in line rental for free for 6 months etc.

Voicon · 20 Apr 2017 at 12:06

Thanks guys, budget isn't a problem, I prefer to get good service.

Sky are out as you can't use your own router.

Also we are high users so traffic management or fair use policies are out of the question to.

ChrisD. · 20 Apr 2017 at 12:32

Voicon said:
Sky are out as you can't use your own router.

Yes, you can, they just don't advertise it.

Zen are hard to beat if their price doesn't concern you.

DIABLO · 20 Apr 2017 at 12:33

Zen is regarded as the best of the best when it comes to service and support, been with them over 10 years.

Voicon · 20 Apr 2017 at 12:36

ChrisD. said:
Yes, you can, they just don't advertise it.

Zen are hard to beat if their price doesn't concern you.

I thought it was hard to get the u/n and p/w, don't want to sign up and find out I can't get it?

I asked sky and they said no.

ChrisD. · 20 Apr 2017 at 12:37

My Zen connection:

I don't have QOS set up yet.

Can't fault the connection at all. Saying that, Sky's was just as good but the support wasn't.

ChrisD. · 20 Apr 2017 at 12:38

Voicon said:
I thought it was hard to get the u/n and p/w, don't want to sign up and find out I can't get it?

I asked sky and they said no.

It isn't that difficult and once you have it there's no more messing around to be done.

Sky will of course say no, but I had no issues logging calls when my own router was connected.

Voicon · 20 Apr 2017 at 12:44

ChrisD. said:
It isn't that difficult and once you have it there's no more messing around to be done.

Sky will of course say no, but I had no issues logging calls when my own router was connected.

Thanks that helps a lot, if I can get it all under sky that will be easier, out of interest do you know if you get sky Q and some mini boxes are they independent of the router so using your own kit for wifi isn't an issue?

ChrisD. · 20 Apr 2017 at 12:46

Voicon said:
Thanks that helps a lot, if I can get it all under sky that will be easier, out of interest do you know if you get sky Q and some mini boxes are they independent of the router so using your own kit for wifi isn't an issue?

If you use your own router with Sky Fibre and Sky Q, it will be treated as using another ISP so you won't get the wifi hotspot functionality that the Q hub provides.

bledd · 20 Apr 2017 at 14:08

I've been really happy with Plusnet.

Voicon · 20 Apr 2017 at 14:11

That's some nice latency.

ChrisD. · 20 Apr 2017 at 14:27

Have PN sorted their latency out on the new network? I may look at some cashback deals and switch to them.

Do they still do static IPs?

bledd · 20 Apr 2017 at 14:38

Static IP is £5 one off fee.

OP, I use a USG with mine, works perfectly.

ChrisD. · 20 Apr 2017 at 14:39

bledd said:
Static IP is £5 one off fee.

Cheers, I've got tomorrow off so I'll look into some cashback deals.

ChrisD. · 20 Apr 2017 at 14:44

Looks to be £85 cashback with TCB, £25 activation fee and £30 a month for a 12 month contract. I currently pay £46.99 to Zen so that's quite some saving (£263.88 I think for the year). I'll probably put the order in tomorrow.

Voicon · 20 Apr 2017 at 14:45

ChrisD. said:
Looks to be £85 cashback with TCB, £25 activation fee and £30 a month for a 12 month contract. I currently pay £46.99 to Zen so that's quite some saving (£263.88 I think for the year). I'll probably put the order in tomorrow.

Not sure about EE broadband but they are doing £150 through quidco atm, would need to look in to their service though.

ChrisD. · 20 Apr 2017 at 14:46

Voicon said:
Not sure about EE broadband but they are doing £150 through quidco atm, would need to look in to their service though.

I'd also get 5GB of data on my SIM, will look into them too but I remember they wanted £8 or something for router delivery when I don't need one which put my back up.

Voicon · 20 Apr 2017 at 17:45

ChrisD. said:
I'd also get 5GB of data on my SIM, will look into them too but I remember they wanted £8 or something for router delivery when I don't need one which put my back up.

My wife's on EE so it would be useful, is it all your EE mobile contracts or just one, I am on 3 but would happily change to EE?

Which ISP for FTTC?

Sgarrista